Finally gat a chance, inteview tips/advice, Quinn Tech.?

[lilred]

I’ve finally got my first interview since graduating. I have been exchanging emails with the CEO of Quinn Technology here in Charleston, and Thursday he wants to interview me and buy me lunch.

I don’t know what position I am interviewing for, nor do I know much about the company itself.

I’m generally a great person to interview, besides the lake of eye contact during heavy thinking.

Any advice, tips, and info would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[crobin4]

Good Luck! :)

[SeanB]

Make sure your resume is up to date, make atleast 10 copies on resume paper and take it with you. Also find a nice folder/notepad that you can put the resumes in and have something to write notes in. (Obviously you want to wear a suit, jeans and tshirt erm don't work.)

Be prepared, do some background research on the company because one of the questions they may ask you is: tell us some recent changes/happenings at our company.

Typical questions are:

why are you applying here
how did you learn about us
where do you see yourself in 5 years
what is your greatest asset
what is your greatest limitation (this is a trick question... the correct answer is not a real limitation but an asset twisted to sound like a flaw)
have you ever been in a situation where there was a conflict of interest
how did you handle that situation
what salary do you expect (don't give a value... tell them whatever the current going rate for a similar position is)
if i called your last employer what three things would they say about you
tell us a little about your education/prior work experience

Questions to ask them:

what is the typical day at work
any chance to move up the corporate ladder

Remember short and concise answers, anything over 3 sentences if too long. Eye contact is very important, start practicing... talk to your friends and family between now and tomorrow and start making it a habit. :)

After the interview get their names, send them a hand written thank you card. Call up in about a week if you haven't heard back. Lastly, best of luck... :)

[Davis K Powers]

What can you do for us?
Describe yourself?
Communication skills?

Don't forget to breathe during the interview. Take your time answering questions. Take at least 2 seconds to pause before answering a question.

Practice your handshake. 90% of the population screw that up....it actually takes practice.

When I'm doing interviews, I always ask legal open ended questions.
Be ready for the questions that Sean posted above as well as how to answer open questions. Be ready for written tests and followup interviews I usually give 3 interviews to a serious future employee.
Dress appropriately.

Have as many ppl as you can review your resume. If there are any grammar mistakes or mis-spellings, I toss the resume on sight. (my online grammar/spelling is much different than my formal business communication)

Good luck!

P.S. If it is truly an interview during lunch (and eating), order the same thing as your boss and no alcohol. Mirror the same mannerisms as he.

[evilnissan]

Quck dirty google.


Quinn Technology handles all types of business no matter how large or small. From small office networks to large multi state networks Quinn can support them all.

Our technicians are certified in such fields as Cisco, Microsoft, Novell, Linux, 3-Com, including Microsoft Certified System Engineers (MCSE), Cisco Certifed Network Professionals (CCNP), Cisco Certified Design Associates (CCDA). Certified Novell Engineers (CNE), and many more.

We also employ a full range of web designers and artists that can help your business design and implement a web page that will help your business grow.




Looks like they might have a couple open spots or might be look for a well rounded tech person to cover hardware and networking to web managment.

A friend of mine does work like this and her day goes from working on printers and PCs to editing web sites and some code work.

From what I have seen from the few times I got to freelance over where she works at and speaking to a few other companys in the area that most companys in the are dont have the ability to have 1 person for 1 job and look for people that can cover several bases at the same time.

This this makes me feel a little worse about the nich corner of tech I wondered in to.

[Kijjy]

All good points above...I swear I could write a novel...I'll just add this...

Have a few of your weaknesses ready to discuss...

This is one of my favorite questions to ask during an interview...

Here is the KEY trick...say the weakness AND what you are doing to fix it...

But don't talk about weaknesses unless they ASK.

Good luck!!!

[sts 50]

Don't underestimate the value of the first impression - dress nicely, don't forget to polish your shoes, nice firm handshake. Ask for the job, but with tact ("I like what I've heard so far. What happens next?") Be ready to provide references. Don't order alchohol or anything messy. Good luck!

[lilred]

Thanks everyone for advice and support. I think Ive gained a little bit from all of them. Definitly will read over again tommrow mornning.

We exchanged more emails, and he made a funny joke saying they need extra hands for their new daycare when I asked what positions did he have in mind for me. Nice ice breaker.

He said basically Ill have a technical position and they need Linux help, which I know little about, however said it wont be a deal breaker. To me it sounds very good, but I dont want to be overlley confident. It does sound like an open type of position.

Time to pray to the career gods ---- and some nice shut-eye.

Thanks again everyone

[evilnissan]

Keep us posted.








Need more workers?

[gtfour77]

Good luck Mike! Let us know how things went!

[lilred]

Sorry guys for not positing sooner. Interview went great, perhaps the easiest in my entire life. Nothing fancy, he talked for 80% of the time. Great guy, easy to talk too, everyone was nice that I meet. Job sounds like its got potential; most importantly it will give me much needed experience. Small business and laid back environment, more self-managed.

He offered me the job and I accepted the next day. It may not pay anywhere close to what I expected but it’s possible for me to obtain that within 1 yr or so. Starting wage sucks, but its temporary. I’m still going to work at my current job to offset any costs, and to help pay the never ending bills. There maybe other jobs that I could possibly get that may pay better, but beggars can’t be choosers, right!!! I trust my gut, it’s got me this far!

Anyways, thanks for the advice everyone. It was well needed, whether I used it or not, it at least helped my focus and confidence. Have a great day.

BTW: I start the 22nd

[SeanB]

Congrats... :D

[ShortysTRM]

Yeah, congrats.

[gtfour77]

Owesome Mike!!! Congrats! See you on the 20th, we'll do some tuning!

[Davis K Powers]

Well done. (golf clap)